Alright so im trying to patch up some rust holes on my frame towards the rear shackles. i've never welded before, so im having my friend do it with his(serious lack of money, i can barely afford a torque wrench :laugh: ) but the plastic gas tank is worrying me. i dont really feel like blowing up anytime soon, should i drop it or will it not be an issue?

Mark05059

05-09-2011 07:04 PM

just drop it.. it will make it alot easier for him to weld and alot safer as well.

Unlimitedlou

05-09-2011 07:05 PM

As long as you are not welding right on the gas tank and not melting the plastic, you should be fine. To take an extra precaution, take an old towel and wet it and lay on the gas tank where you are weling.

crazycow1028

05-09-2011 07:11 PM

alright yeah thanks. since i have to weld on the inside of the frame rail and there like a 3" space between that and the tank im probably just gonna drop it. do i have to drain the gas tank first or disconnect any lines?

WakeDoctor

05-09-2011 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unlimitedlou
(Post 11513114)

As long as you are not welding right on the gas tank and not melting the plastic, you should be fine. To take an extra precaution, take an old towel and wet it and lay on the gas tank where you are weling.

What is the purpose of wetting the towel? So you can have something you cool your burns after you have extinguished yourself?

jcmooreusmc

05-09-2011 07:22 PM

You don't have to drain the tank, but it makes it much lighter and easier. Just remove the screws holding the filler hose in and start dropping slowly. I used a floor jack b/c mine had fuel in it. also had a buddy watching for lines to get too tight. I diconnected the fuel filler hose, the fuel pump power supply, and the 2 hoses on top(can't remember what they're called). Check this out......courtesy of Mean Max. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/h...emoval-981049/

soonermatt

05-09-2011 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unlimitedlou

As long as you are not welding right on the gas tank and not melting the plastic, you should be fine. To take an extra precaution, take an old towel and wet it and lay on the gas tank where you are weling.

Um the welder gets steel to 2600 degrees using electricity. Your wet towel would make some interesting fireworks before things got bad.

crazycow1028

05-09-2011 07:30 PM

thanks man that helps a lot! im a bit new at a lot of this so it a lot of guesswork/trial and error :o alright now i just have to wait for the sun to come up :)

crazycow1028

05-09-2011 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WakeDoctor
(Post 11513245)

What is the purpose of wetting the towel? So you can have something you cool your burns after you have extinguished yourself?

I think the purpose was to further protect the gas tank, but thats not a bad idea either. especially with a few beers in you :cheers2:

raynmaker

05-09-2011 10:18 PM

no doubt the metal being welded gets to 2600 but the stray spark cools quickly and the wet towel will stop pin holes. Not that I recommend the method for gas tanks. For sure drop it. But i have used the wet towel to avoid scaring polished stainless.

bracs4

05-09-2011 10:53 PM

i just finished dooing this to minead def drop the tank its a tight spot even with out the tank in the way

oldtime_ironman

05-09-2011 11:36 PM

Inside of the frame rail? I would say drop it even tho its a PITA it will make the welders job a *lot* easier and its safer not to burn thru anything even regardless if you leave the skid on. Making the welders job easier also tends to make it cheaper :D since its kinda tight up in there anyhow.

Yeah a wet towel works but frankly thats a "desperate" move for me. Like if I gotta do it on a Sunday and get to work Monday. Here's some other tricks for safety OK I have tried these:

You can take a bunch of gas from a MIG welder if that's what you have, and run a line full of it into the tank with the gas cap off. It shoves out the gas fumes. Hope you got your insurance paid up tho.

You can also dump out as much gas as possible, and then pour in a mix of hot water and liquid dish detergent. Shake it up real good. Do the welding and then drain/bleed everything like crazy for about a day.

crazycow1028

05-10-2011 07:59 AM

thanks ill take that in mind. im not always the safest person so i wasnt sure if it was worth it but it seems to be a good idea. ill be welding today or tomorrow ill keep you updated on what happens

dodger889

05-10-2011 07:20 PM

If you leave the tank fill it to the top. A full tank has less gaseous fumes to light up. Second thing cover the gas fill point with a wet towel and use some sheet metal as a guard to keep the sparks off the tank. Now if you drop the tank do it outside then push the jeep inside to weld. Then cover the gas lines with a wet towel this will keep the fumes and gas from floating around your welding area.

crazycow1028

05-12-2011 08:11 AM

i just finished it i didnt actually drop the tank i just used some wet plywood and a towel and shoved it in between. it turned out pretty well, i cant post pictures yet but its not bad. thanks for the help!